MEPs back qualified majority decision for climate talks

Members of the European Parliament yesterday (22 November) voted in favour of the EU's position at UN climate change talks reflecting the views of the majority of member states, but not requiring unanimity.

A resolution on the talks - which start next week in Doha, Qatar - approved by the full Parliament says that there is no legal reason for adopting Council conclusions by unanimity.

The resolution says “the informal practice of waiting for consensus among all Council delegations is delaying urgent climate action”. The resolution "urges the Council to act on the basis of qualified majority voting at all times, in accordance with the treaties”.

Member states have been unable to agree on a unified negotiating position ahead of the Doha talks because of a dispute over leftover credits in the Kyoto Protocol. Poland, which has a surplus of credits (known as AAUs), wants to be able to trade in the credits during the next Kyoto trading period. But other member states say this would weaken the next Kyoto trading period. A decision must be reached at the Doha summit.

Poland has also vetoed Council conclusions on two climate and energy roadmaps in the past year because they contained emissions reduction targets after 2020.

The fact that Council conclusions do not need the backing of all member states was highlighted by environmental group WWF. The group submitted an official request to the Council to find out what part of the EU treaties requires unanimity for Council conclusions. In September the Council responded, saying it was “unable to identify” any document containing this requirement. The Council later said that such a document does exist, but has refused to grant public access to it. Six MEPs have tabled a written question on the same topic.

“Parliament has reminded the Council that ministers must stick to the rules when deciding climate and other policies,” said Mark Johnston of WWF after the vote. “By acting outside the law, the Council is delaying much needed climate action at home and it waters down Europe’s position in global negotiations.”